On September 17, the board at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) decided to award honorary doctoral degrees to three distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields. The distinguished individuals are:
- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization
- Maria Ressa, journalist and author, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021
- Britta Marakatt-Labba, renowned Sápmi textile artist, painter and graphic designer
"Public health, freedom of expression, and art are three important pillars of a global society. These fields are also central to the Oslo Metropolitan University and reflect the university's special responsibility to society", says Christen Krogh, rector at Oslo Metropolitan University.
"The honorary doctoral degrees are given in respect to the contributions WHO Secretary-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, and distinguished Sápmi artist Britta Marakatt-Labba have made in their respective fields", says Christen Krogh, rector at Oslo Metropolitan University.
The honorary doctors will be honored and receive their diplomas during a solemn conferment ceremony in 2026.
About the honorary doctorates
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:
Dr. Tedros is the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Tedros receives the honorary doctorate for his life-long work for public health in various roles, most recently as Director-General of the WHO. Dr. Tedros is particularly known for his efforts during Covid, but also his efforts against AIDS, maternal and child health, family planning and in general for public health with an emphasis on conditions for the poorest and most vulnerable.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Photo: WHO
Dr Tedros’ contributions to global health and to health for all, as well as his dedication to using knowledge and research, have had a great impact both for healthcare and health sciences. OsloMet wants to honor his work by appointing him honorary doctor.
Maria Ressa:
The Filipino journalist Maria Ressa is the founder of the news service Rappler. Ressa receives the honorary doctorate for her fight for freedom of expression and against fake news and manipulation of the public discourse. Through her work, she has shown great courage and continued her work despite putting herself in personal danger.
Maria Ressa. Photo: Deutsche Welle. License: CC BY NC 2.0
For her work to protect freedom of expression, she has received several awards and prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Ressa is a professor of professional practice at Columbia University.
As democratic values and institutions are being threatened in large parts of the world, standing up for our values and freedoms is more important than ever. By appointing Maria Ressa as honorary doctor of OsloMet, the university wishes to honor her work.
Britta Marakatt-Labba:
The Sápmi artist Britta Marakatt-Labba receives the honorary doctorate for her significant and long-standing artistic contribution. Through her artistic work as a textile artist, painter and graphic artist, she is one of Sápmi's most internationally recognized and central artists. Her art conveys Sami everyday life and history, with a message that we must preserve natural resources. She is a co-founder of Mázejoavku (Masi Group) and the Sami Artists' Association and has been awarded several prestigious awards for her work.
Britta Marakatt-Labba. Photo: Sonja Balci
By appointing Britta Marakatt-Labba honorary doctor, OsloMet highlights the importance of artistic work with particular emphasis on Sami art and culture, and the role of art in the environmental struggle.
About OsloMet
Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) is Norway’s third largest university. For more than 200 years, Oslo Metropolitan University and its predecessors have contributed to building knowledge and expertise for the Norwegian welfare society.
Today, OsloMet is a modern university spanning many academic fields: from quantum physics and child welfare to journalism and midwifery. We are Norway's third largest university and especially known for our robust and expansive academic communities within teacher education, health and social care, social sciences, design, and technology.
OsloMet is a metropolitan university where research and education are closely connected to local challenges and are enriched by the urban diversity surrounding our campuses in Oslo. This proximity gives us unique opportunities to innovate and explore new solutions for a well-functioning society. At the same time, Oslo Metropolitan University is internationally oriented. We participate actively in the global academic community and contribute to the generation of research-based knowledge that transcends national borders.
OsloMet has previously awarded four honorary doctorates, all in 2020.
Read more about the honorary doctors and awarding process here.
